New York -LRB- CNN -RRB- -- Incidents of lasers targeting aircraft and pilots are increasing in frequency in the New York area , the FBI said Friday .

Reports of lasers being pointed at aircraft are up 17 % percent from last year , the bureau said . Injuries involving the laser occurrences are also on the rise , the FBI said ; lasers can temporarily or permanently blind a pilot and crew .

The most recent incidents happened Tuesday , the FBI said .

The first involved a Shuttle America flight that was on final approach to LaGuardia Airport when a green laser illuminated the cockpit . The second was later that evening when a private aircraft reported a green laser two miles south of LaGuardia .

No injuries were reported in either instance , but earlier this year several commercial pilots suffered significant injuries , including a burnt retina , because of lasers , the FBI said .

`` The FBI is asking anyone with information about any of these dangerous laser incidents to pick up the phone and call us , '' Assistant Director in Charge George Venizelos said . `` Our paramount concern is the safety of aircraft passengers and crew . ''

The FBI 's Joint Terrorism Task Force is leading the investigation .

The FBI is offering a reward for information leading to the identification , arrest and conviction of anyone involved in lasers targeting aircraft .

A law signed last year makes it a federal crime to aim a laser pointer at an aircraft .

In 2005 , there were fewer than 300 incidents where planes were targeted , but that number grew more than 12 times to nearly 3,600 in 2011 , according to the Federal Aviation Administration .

The FAA attributes the massive increase to laser pointers being more widely available online , stronger power levels , an increase in green lasers which are easier to see , and better reporting of the incidents by pilots .

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CNN 's Ross Levitt contributed to this report .

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Reports of laser incidents rise 17 % from last year , the FBI says

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Injuries from the lasers are also on the rise

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Lasers can cause temporary or permanent blindness

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It is a federal crime to aim a laser pointer at an aircraft